The Ventura Film Festival proudly holds the distinction of being "the grandest film festival ever to take place in Ventura County." This impressive distinction demonstrates the organization's dedication to delivering exceptional cinematic experiences to the area while sustaining its commitment to critical environmental causes.
The Ventura Film Festival exists as a multi-genre global film festival that raises awareness for environmental challenges including forest and ocean preservation and restoration, through an annual film festival and complementary events. The festival leverages the impact of filmmaking to encourage participation and foster important conversations about these critical conservation concerns.
The Ventura Film Festival began in 2004 and has displayed hundreds of movies, commonly surpassing 200 films each summer, and has drawn recognition from the global film industry. Since its inception, the festival has expanded into a substantial cultural happening that unites cinema creators, conservation supporters, and viewers from every corner of the planet.
Notable moments have included showcasing renowned filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the initial world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend together with Ian Cairns, four-time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA competitor the celebrated website Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story, which involved hosting the entire Academy Award winning cast of West Side Story, featuring Oscar winner/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris along with Golden Globe recipient/Oscar nominee Russ Tamblyn. These distinguished guests and festivities have established the festival's standing as a top-tier venue for recognizing cinema and the visionaries who produce it.
The founding executive director of the Ventura Film Festival was privileged to participate, alongside numerous Hollywood elite, in the half-century commemoration of West Side Story and Hollywood's prestigious footprint/handprint ceremony honoring Academy Award recipients Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, as well as Golden Globe winner Russ Tamblyn at the legendary Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This ceremony also acted as the official BluRay premiere by Fox and MGM of the beloved West Side Story, which is broadly regarded by critics and fans as the most exceptional musical of all time. This esteemed acknowledgment and participation demonstrates the festival's important standing and honored place within the Hollywood community.